The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-24
A STRANGE STORY.
Cincinnati Coiored Mem Lay Claim to q Two
Million Estate.

Cincinnati C1iored Mem Lay Claim to q Two.
Million Estate.
Cincinnati Commercial Ga zette.
Lloyd s. Lewis of Sedamsvil ard Anthony
S. Cluff. or 'SansbSrry Cluf' as he is best
known, have recently come into possession OF
some legal documents that Will prove OF interest
to large number of coored people residing in
this section. 1t appears from these documents
that time in the last century, when
Virginia dependency of Great Britain,
Samuel Gist owned large plantation in
Virginia, and was also the owner of large landed
estates in England and ireland. He had two
daughters, Mary and Elizabeth
Upon the breaking out of tho war of inde-
pendence. Mr.. Gst and Elizabeth took sices
with the mother country, while Mary took the
side of her native country, Virginia, where she
was born. Mr.. Gst left for England taking
Elizabeth with him, from whence neither ever
returned.
When Great Britain acknowledged the inde-
pendence of the United States Mr. Gist found
his property confiscated Mary, being patriot,
applied for and obtained her fathers lands
which she restored to her father for f480 per an
mum; and Mr.. Gist carried on the plantation
through his overseers until his death, Whlcn
took place in 1872, at London, England.
By his will he emancipated all his slaves, and
directed that all his property in America should
be used to set them up for themselves, and that
all rents and profits arising from his land were
to be forever applied, first, to assist tho WIDOWS
and orphans and any of his servants or their
descendants who may be. from any cause, un-
able TO provide for themselves, and any sur
Years day among all those freed people who
remained upon his lands.
"A large fund was also left in charge of his
two daughters and their husbands TALL of whom
were in London at the time of the fathers death)
for the purpose of supporting schools for the
benefit of these same people 1t appears that
the fact of Mr.. Gist's death and the provisions
made in his will for the slaves was not fully
carried out until 1918 or 1919, owing to difficult
ties which need not be here stated.
A bout that time lands were purchased in Ohio
II, 1oho md and
hundred of these freed negroes of all ages were
settled upon them.
Some $40 900 was also put into the hands of
trustees, to be used as before stated, for their
benefit. Some of this fund went to the colored
people, but most of it went to benefit the trus-
tees, or some persons other than those entitled
to it, for the negroes, by all accounts, got only
what was left. and not even all of that
The trustees held all the land in their own
names and they We're listed in one lot for tax
alton, and up to 1857 the taxes were paid by the
fused pay anything or to assist these people IN
any way whatever.
The taxes became in consequence delinquent
and forfeited, and the lands were sold for the
taxes, but in most were afterward re-
deemed by the negroes themselves
large percentage of the best and most profit
able land was by some means taken by white
people, that nearly al. the property became Of
little good to the benefciaries.
Some ten years ago the members of the Gin
cinnati Relief Union interested themselves in
the matter, and entered into a correspond
euce with a number OF influential men
in England. 1t ascertained that the
colored people. representing about five hundred
claimants and heirs of the freed slaves. most Of
whom residents of Ohio, are entitled. under
Mr. Gists will, TO certain large tracts of land in
Ohio and Virginia, aud to trust funds, the
amount of which is variousy stated at from
50, 600 900 to So, 900 900, present held in the
courts of chancery in England
Since that time a number OF coored people
have been investigating the matter, among them
Mr. Lewis and Mr.. Cluff, and they are now maxi
ing an effort to obtain a list Of names of all
claimants, in order that they may push tha
claim. \ meeting of all the heirs will be called
a early date, when the correspondence and
papers relating to the claim will be read. and all
particulars given those interested.